Beat 'em up

A beat 'em up is a genre of video games where players control a character who fights through levels filled with enemies using hand-to-hand combat and basic weapons. The gameplay emphasizes continuous action, requiring players to defeat groups of opponents to progress. These games often feature side-scrolling mechanics, with players moving from one side of the screen to the other, engaging in melee fights, dodging attacks, and sometimes facing bosses. Classics like "Double Dragon" and "Streets of Rage" exemplify this genre, which focuses on skillful timing, pattern recognition, and maintaining momentum during combat.